The Fort Macleod Royals crowned the Cranbrook Bandits Sunday afternoon in Pincher Creek.
Fresh off splitting a home-diamond doubleheader with the visiting Kootenai Valley Rangers Saturday afternoon, the Bandits were unable to get back into the win column Sunday, falling to the Royals in back-to-back contests.
The pair of losses drops the Bandits to 6-5 thus far in the 2015 American Legion Baseball season.
In the opening game of the Sunday double dose, the Bandits jumped out to a 6-1 lead before losing to the Royals 7-6 in extra innings.
Left-hander Tyler Thorn (0-1, 2.33 ERA) earned the start. Going four innings, Thorn struck out five batters and walked three while allowing three earned runs. He exited the game with no decision.
Reliever Daniel Mercandelli (0-2, 14.00 ERA) was eventually tagged with the loss as he surrendered three hits and allowed one earned run.
Cedar Kemp (.261/.419/.304) and Brandon Ouillette (.273/.432/.303) both went 2-for-5 at the plate, while Robert Nickell brought two runs across the plate.
While the Royals rallied for victory in the opener, it was the Bandits forced to rally in the back half of the doubleheader, though their efforts fell short in a 13-12 loss.
The fifth inning was a busy one at the plate for both squads.
Fort Macleod built an 11-3 advantage with a five-run effort in the top of the fifth, before the Bandits battled back into the contest with a six-run showing in the bottom of the fifth.
Right-hander Connor Armstrong (1-1, 3.62 ERA) earned the start on the bump, going four innings deep and striking out two, while issuing four walks. He took the loss after allowing four earned runs.
Armstrong (.250/.500/.375) helped fuel the offense, going 1-for-3 at the plate while knocking in two runs. The 5-foot-9 native of Kimberley also managed to cross home twice himself.
Carson Meggison (.227/.400/.227) managed to go 2-for-4 at the the dish to lead the Bandits with a pair of hits.
The Bandits hit the road once again this coming weekend, visiting Whitefish to face the Glacier ‘B’ Twins on Saturday, May 31, before taking on the Libby Loggers on Sunday, May 31.
Next home action for the Bandits comes Saturday, June 6, when the Mission Valley Mariners visit Confederation Park.
